Cat garden enclosures

[YesSheCan]

We recently lost our beautiful dear cat to a car accident. I'm utterly bereft and she was only just coming up 4. I guess I'd been complacent about the dangers of road traffic even though she'd been injured by a car before - thought she'd be more wary of crossing the road but of course cats can't be expected to be aware of the danger for themselves, I realise that. I was shocked to read that the average life expectancy of a free-roaming cat is only 5 years. In time, I'd like to rehome another rescue cat but no way would I let them have access to the road. Neither would I want to restrict them to indoors. Anyone have experience of installing a large cat enclosure for the garden with access direct from the house? That doesn't cost huge amounts of money? (I'd reasonably expect several hundred pounds).

Maybe consider a breed rescue and get a cat that's not bothered about going out like a Persian or a rag doll.

First, I am so sorry for the loss of your dear cat, OP. We live near a very busy street with constant traffic and it is a real worry. My DH built a large catio off the back of the house using wire panels from the building supply store. The cats go in and out the house into the catio through a petdoor in one of our house windows.

We put benches and shelves and cat trees in the catio as well as some large landscaping rocks for lounging in the sun and an umbrella for shade on hot days. You can get the same effect for a little more money with one of those modular dog kennels that comes with a gate. The gate is secure and makes it easier to get in and clean the area.

It wasn't very expensive at all and well worth it. The cats absolutely love it. You really might want to give it a try.

That sounds great, MrsPawsitive. Don't think DP is particularly handy but I may be able to manage it myself...How do you manage to avoid cats escaping from house?
Toddlerteaplease, can you be sure those breeds won't stray far? Next door's Persian is often in our garden. I've never seen her out the front near the road but I don't know whether that's just luck that she doesn't want to go there or they have preventive measures in place

Is your garden fenced? I have the fence top system with brackets and netting from Sanctuary SOS - I have 6ft fences all around my garden and it's brilliant. Keeps other cats and foxes out as well as keeping mine safely in the garden.

Otherwise there are various "catio" type systems you can buy readymade or get someone to build for you with timber and chicken wire.

If you google "catio" you will get a wealth of inspiration. A number of women have created catios by themselves so it's quite possible to do.
The fence top system viccat is referring to would be my preference but we still would have a problem with hawks swooping down. We have to enclose above as well as sides.

I dream of the day we can move to a more wooded area and give our cats more freedom, but then we will have to deal with ticks as well as fleas. I have friends with dogs and the tick problem is never-ending. So it's always something.